(Continued from page 11)

• Pre-Algebra - Mrs. Johnson
• Pre-Algebra students have been solving and graphing algebraic equations and inequalities involving integers, fractions, and decimals.  They have become very adept at working multi-step problems, displaying them on the board, and explaining their procedures.  Students are also able to solve word problems by translating them into algebraic equations and inequalities. 
• The current chapter closes with the task of transforming formulas and the opportunity of using real-life applications in determining simple and compound interest.  Graphing calculators will soon be used to graph and study linear functions.
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• Informal Geometry - Mrs. Johnson
• This class just completed a chapter involving proportions and similarity.  Students were able to create proportions by examining similar polygons as well as parallel lines intersected by transversals.  Once proportions were established, the Means/Extremes Property was applied to determine the value of unknown measurements.
• The new chapter continues the study of polygons and determining area.  Polygons will be named according to the number of sides and angles, and the measures of interior and exterior angles will be found.  Areas will be estimated as well as calculated by using formulas.  The students will identify figures with line or rotational symmetry; they will also identify tessellations and explore transformations.  Algebra skills continue to be reviewed in creating and solving equations.
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• Algebra I - Mrs. Johnson
• The second semester began by using algebra to describe patterns of change.  The application of formulas has guided the study of compound interest, linear increase and decrease, and exponential growth and decay.  Function notation has also been introduced.  Graphing calculators have been valuable tools in graphing functions, in comparing constant and exponential changes, and in determining exponential regression equations.  Data and formulas have also been inserted into Excel spreadsheets to monitor results.
• The Algebra I classes will soon begin a chapter on powers and roots.  Students will continue their earlier work of simplifying algebraic expressions by finding related products, powers, and quotients.  They will encounter the use of negative exponents, square and cube roots, and the formula for determining distance in a plane.
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(Continued on page 13)